This is one of those ideas most of us have heard in one form or another, often attributed to Robert Tew, a motivational speaker and writer known for simple, hard-hitting reminders about growth and resilience. Regardless of where it came from, it rings true. Strength is almost always forged in the middle of something uncomfortable, something hard, something we’d probably rather avoid.
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Excellence is not a destination. It is a process of becoming. The habits you practice and the standards you uphold shape the person doing the work.
You cannot claim an identity without living its behaviors. Runners run. Leaders lead. Parents parent. Identity follows action, not intention. Every choice casts a vote for who you are becoming.
Decide what kind of person you want to be. Then do what that type of person does, consistently and without excuses. Results follow alignment.
Show up! Put in the work! Regroup! Put in the work! Don't quit! Believe in yourself! Develop your skills! Process > outcome! Be okay with uncomfortable! Compete!
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Last time I sent this out, I talked about that shift from asking “is this good?” to asking “is this as good as it could be?”
That idea hasn’t gone anywhere.
If anything, it’s been sitting with me even more over the last couple of weeks.
Because the truth is, that space between “good enough” and “as good as it could be” isn’t comfortable. It takes more time. More attention. More reps. And usually a willingness to go back into something you thought was already finished.
That’s the part people don’t always see.
Going back into details most would probably move past.
Looking at something and thinking, yeah… this works… but does it really?
And then sitting with that question a little longer than you want to.
Because once you start seeing it, you can’t really unsee it.
Some of the changes I’ve been working through aren’t big, obvious, headline-type things. They’re smaller. Quieter. But not insignificant. The kind of details that don’t jump out right away, but change how something feels when you actually use it.
That’s where I’ve been spending my time.
Not chasing something new just for the sake of it.
Just trying to get it right.
And at some point, you stop thinking about it.
You stop revisiting it.
You stop tweaking.
And you just… have it.
That’s where I am right now.
The changes aren’t sitting in my head anymore. They’re not on a screen. They’re in hand.
Real. Finished.
Same idea. Same DNA.
Just… better.
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I was down in Florida recently visiting my parents, and right across the street from their neighborhood is this little spot that, over the last 30 years, has probably had four or five different restaurants come and go. Nothing ever seems to stick, and to be honest, it’s a bit on the dumpy side. I hadn’t stepped foot in there since it was a pizza place back when I was in college. As we drove by, I noticed it had turned into a Thai restaurant. I love Thai food, just don’t have it nearly as often as I should. We ended up passing on it, not quite the vibe for the family, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Because if you’ve been around long enough, you know some of those “dumpy” places are hiding really good food.
So when we got home, I pulled out the wok and decided to make it a Thai dinner night. Thai basil beef is one of my favorites, my wife leans chicken, so I made both. And the best part, in about 30 minutes I had two separate dishes on the table, Thai basil beef and Thai basil chicken. It was a huge hit. Simple, clean, and just enough of that Thai chili heat to make it interesting without overwhelming things.________________________________________Thai Basil Chicken / Beef
Ingredients
• 1 lb thinly sliced chicken or beef
• 2 tbsp oil
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1–2 Thai chilies (or red pepper flakes)
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp fish sauce
• 1.5 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1.5 tsp sugar
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil (or regular basil)
• Cooked white rice
Instructions1. Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.2. Add garlic and chilies, cook until fragrant.3. Add sliced chicken or beef and cook until browned and just cooked through.4. Add soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir well and let it simmer briefly to build the sauce.5. Turn off heat and fold in basil until wilted.6. Serve over rice.________________________________________A couple quick tips if you give it a shot. Slice the beef and chicken really thin and go across the grain, it makes a big difference in how tender it turns out. And if you can’t find Thai basil at your local store, don’t overthink it, regular basil works just fine.
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I grew up an avid Nike fan. Their gritty commercials had a way of pulling you in, making you believe that greatness wasn’t reserved for a select few, it was available if you were willing to lean into the work, the pain, and the struggle. I still remember the “If You Let Me Play” campaign and the way they stood behind girls and women in sports.
That always hit close to home for me. My mom was a women’s basketball coach. My wife was a collegiate swimmer. My daughter is a collegiate runner. I’ve seen firsthand what sports can do. The discipline, the work ethic, the teamwork, learning how to handle adversity, how to win and lose with some level of grace. It shapes people in ways that go well beyond the field, court, or track. And I especially believe in the opportunities sports create for young girls and women.
So it’s hard to watch when those opportunities feel like they’re being compromised. A couple of weeks ago, the International Olympic Committee took a clear step and announced that, moving forward, only biological women will compete in the women’s category at the Olympic level. I don’t typically get into topics like this here, but this one feels less about politics and more about fairness and safety in sport.
Nike has been quiet on this, which is disappointing given their history. But another brand has stepped in. XX-XY Athletics has taken a stance and put out a powerful ad that’s worth your time.
And if you want to better understand the thinking behind the IOC’s decision, take a few minutes to listen to Ross Tucker break it down. He does a great job explaining both the process and why it matters.
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